Neighborhood Watch

The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) believes that effective crime prevention requires a strong partnership between law enforcement and the community we serve. The Neighborhood Watch program is a cornerstone of this partnership, empowering residents to become active participants in maintaining the safety and security of their own neighborhoods.

What is Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of residents in cooperation with OCSO to reduce crime, solve problems, and improve the quality of life in their community. It involves neighbors getting to know each other, being trained to recognize and report suspicious activities, implementing crime prevention techniques (like home security measures), and watching out for one another's property.

It is not about being a vigilante or assuming the role of law enforcement. Participants serve as the extra eyes and ears for the Sheriff's Office.

How Neighborhood Watch Works & Helps

Observation: Knowing your neighbors and the typical routines in your area makes it easier to spot unusual or suspicious activities.
Reporting: Trained participants learn how to effectively observe and report suspicious activities to OCSO without putting themselves at risk. Prompt reporting can help deputies respond quickly and potentially prevent a crime or apprehend suspects.
Communication: The program fosters better communication among neighbors and between the community and OCSO.
Prevention: Increased vigilance and visible signs (like Neighborhood Watch signs) can act as deterrents to criminal activity.

What to Watch For (Examples)

Report activity that seems suspicious or out of the ordinary for your neighborhood, such as:

Someone unfamiliar loitering or walking through yards.
Slow-moving vehicles without apparent destination, or vehicles parked suspiciously.
Apparent forced entry or broken windows/doors.
Unusual noises like gunshots, screaming, or sounds of breaking glass.
Someone carrying property at an unusual time or place.
Strangers offering work or selling items door-to-door without proper identification.

How to Report Suspicious Activity

IMMEDIATELY call 911 if you witness a crime in progress or require emergency assistance.
For non-emergency suspicious activity, call the OCSO non-emergency line at 863-763-3117.
Provide the dispatcher with clear information:
- What happened?
- Where did it happen (exact address/location)?
- When did it happen?
- Description of person(s) involved (gender, race, height, weight, hair color, clothing).
- Description of vehicle(s) involved (make, model, color, license plate, direction of travel).
DO NOT attempt to confront or apprehend suspects yourself. Your safety is the priority. Observe from a safe distance and report.

Tips for Securing your Home Before Vacation or Trips

Make your home look occupied by using inexpensive timers that turn lights off or on at various times.
Ask a trusted neighbor or relative to collect your mail and newspapers daily. Or have the service put on hold.
Close and lock your garage door. A padlock can be added to the track inside for extra protection. Also, remember to disconnect the automatic opener.
Do not close all drapes or blinds. This is a dead giveaway that the house is vacant.
Notify the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office, at (863) 763-3117, of the dates you will be gone and request to be placed on the list for the FREE Vacation house Watch Program.

Tips for Securing your Home Before Vacation or Trips

Operation Identification is a simple, inexpensive crime prevention technique that has proven its effectiveness in cities across America. Based upon the idea that marked items are more difficult, if not impossible, to dispose of, Operation Identification discourages burglars from stealing your marked valuables.

This is how it works: Using an engraving tool, tag all of your household items (i.e. television, VCR, home computer, microwave and other large items that can be removed from the residence) with any number that you can remember.

Then make a written list or inventory of your items, take pictures or video the items. Store the list and Photo/video in a safe place.